Showing papers in "Journal of Construction Engineering and Management-asce in 2016"

A Novel Machine Learning Model for Estimation of Sale Prices of Real Estate Units

Abstract: Predicting the price of housing is of paramount importance for near-term economic forecasting of any nation. This paper presents a novel and comprehensive model for estimating the price of new housing in any given city at the design phase or beginning of the construction through ingenious integration of a deep belief restricted Boltzmann machine and a unique nonmating genetic algorithm. The model can be used by construction companies to gauge the sale market before they start a new construction and consider to build or not to build. An effective data structure is presented that takes into account a large number of economic variables/indices. The model incorporates time-dependent and seasonal variations of the variables. Clever stratagems have been developed to overcome the dimensionality curse and make the solution of the problem amenable on standard workstations. A case study is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the model.

Structural Equation Model of Building Information Modeling Maturity

Abstract: For the implementation of building information modeling (BIM), an incompatible development among various aspects of a business can lead to different levels of BIM maturity (BIMM) or even project failure. Therefore, it is important to identify key causal factors of BIMM. This research develops a structural equation model of BIMM through three-step multivariate analysis. It starts with exploratory factor analysis to identify three key BIMM factors, which are further tested with confirmatory factor analysis. The causal relationships among the three factors and BIMM are then proposed and validated with structural equation modeling. This research has both practical and theoretical contributions. Practically, the proposed model can be used by practitioners to initiate and evaluate their BIM implementation. Theoretically, the result provides empirical evidence for the multidimensional nature of BIMM and insights into the causal relationships among the factors. Specifically, the factors of process managem...

Case Study of BIM and Cloud–Enabled Real-Time RFID Indoor Localization for Construction Management Applications

Abstract: In the field of construction, indoor localization of mobile construction resources remains a universal challenge. Although discussions have focused on the tracking accuracy and affordability of indoor localization technologies, few efforts have focused on practical criteria such as ease of use, latency, and data visualization and remote sharing. To close this gap in knowledge, this study introduces a building information modeling (BIM) and cloud-enabled radio-frequency identification (RFID) localization system. The system consists of three main components: the passive RFID localization system, the BIM visualization system, and the cloud computing system. The proposed system is tested in a full-scale implementation on an actual construction site. The test was designed and conducted to evaluate the localization accuracy, data latency, and real-time data processing and visualization for remote monitoring. A comprehensive analysis is made of various practical issues based on the test results and panel...

Risk Paths in International Construction Projects: Case Study from Chinese Contractors

Abstract: Contracting in overseas construction markets involves not only the typical risks at home, but also the complex and diverse risks peculiar to international transactions. In addition, international construction project risks are highly interdependent. The objectives of this study are to (1) explore the risk paths in the international construction projects performed by Chinese contractors, and (2) examine the risk effects on the objectives of these projects. To achieve the research objectives, a total of 60 risks were identified from literature review and a questionnaire survey was conducted with 104 professionals from Chinese international contractors. Adopting the structural equation modeling technique, this study proposed a networking of 20 significant risk paths. Specifically, host government–related risk, contractor’s lack of experience, and contractors’ lack of managerial skills had significant effect on project cost, quality, and schedule objectives, respectively. Moreover, host government–rel...

A Cognitive Model of Construction Workers’ Unsafe Behaviors

Abstract: This paper focuses on construction workers’ unsafe behaviors and develops a cognitive model of construction workers’ unsafe behaviors (CM-CWUB). In the construction industry, many accident ...

Performance Test of Wireless Technologies for Personnel and Equipment Proximity Sensing in Work Zones

Abstract: The dynamic nature and limited work space of roadway work zones contribute to dangerous working environments for construction workers. This environment can result in hazardous proximity sit...

Role of Safety Training: Impact on Hazard Recognition and Safety Risk Perception

Abstract: Hazard recognition and the accurate perception of safety risk are fundamental to the success of any safety program. When hazards remain unrecognized, or the associated safety risk is underestimated, the likelihood of catastrophic and unexpected injuries dramatically increase. Unfortunately, recent research has found that a large number of hazards in construction remain unrecognized. Likewise, past studies have demonstrated that safety risk is widely underestimated within construction. To improve hazard recognition and the accurate perception of safety risk, employers adopt a wide variety of training programs. However, the prevalent use of ineffective and unengaging training methods have significantly impeded training efforts in construction. The purpose of this research was to assess the impact of safety training on two objective training outcomes: hazard recognition performance and safety risk perception. The research objectives were accomplished by gathering empirical data from 51 active project...

Bibliometric Analysis of PPP and PFI Literature: Overview of 25 Years of Research

Abstract: Academics have been devoting a growing attention to different matters involving public-private partnerships (PPPs), and, as the use of PPPs for delivering infrastructure evolves worldwide, so does the number and type of papers addressing this procurement model. The objective of this paper is to undertake a comprehensive literature review of papers relating to PPPs and private finance initiatives (PFIs), using a bibliometric analysis. More than 600 papers published between 1990 and 2014 were examined. None of the previously existing studies analyzed such a large sample of papers. The research found that PPP studies appear to have a steady momentum toward growth. Engineering journals (and engineering as a research area) have been particularly active in this field. Authors based in Europe and Asia had written almost two-thirds of the papers, with transportation and health sectors at the top of sector-based papers. Most of the existing work is focused on aspects of contract design, risk sharing, and a...

Evaluating integrated project delivery using the project quarterback rating

Abstract: This paper presents the development, validation, and implementation of an innovative comprehensive project performance metric specifically developed for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) projects. The project quarterback rating (PQR) combines key performance metrics of a project into a single number to provide a basis for quantifying project success. The combined performance areas include customer relations, schedule and budget compliance, quality and safety statistics, financial metrics, and communication among the different project stakeholders. The existing literature is analyzed to identify key performance metrics. A data-collection instrument is developed and then used to gather quantitative performance data from recently completed projects. Data are collected from industry professionals across the United States, and multivariate data analysis techniques are used to validate the model. PQR can compare the overall performance for different AEC projects, in addition to the perfo...

Multicriteria Decision-Making Method for Sustainable Site Location of Post-Disaster Temporary Housing in Urban Areas

Abstract: Many people lose their homes around the world every year because of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes. In the aftermath of a natural disaster, the displaced people (DP) have to move to temporary housing (TH) and do not have the ability to choose the settlement dimensions, distributions, neighborhood, or other characteristics of their TH. Additionally, post-disaster settlement construction causes neighborhood changes, environmental degradation, and large-scale public expenditures. This paper presents a new model to support decision makers in choosing site locations for TH. The model is capable of determining the optimal site location based on the integration of economic, social, and environmental aspects into the whole life cycle of these houses. The integrated value model for sustainable assessment (MIVES), a multicriteria decision making (MCDM) model, is used to assess the sustainability of the aforementioned aspects, and MIVES includes the value function concept, w...

Benchmark Performance Metrics for Integrated Project Delivery

Abstract: The construction industry is fraught with waste and inefficiencies resulting in projects often failing to meet owners’ expectations. Integrated project delivery (IPD) is the newest project delivery system (PDS) and changes the traditional roles and relationships of key project stakeholders. Through increased early collaboration, IPD attempts to eliminate waste and deliver the highest-value projects to owners. It is seen as a potential solution to many of the challenges impeding successful project performance. However, a transformational move toward IPD has yet to reach a tipping point, and its use is not prevalent throughout the construction industry. Little research has been done to quantitatively analyze IPD compared with the more commonly used delivery methods. Through substantial collection of quantitative project performance data and univariate statistical analysis, this study fills the gap in PDS research by evaluating the effects of IPD on building construction projects across a wide range ...

Comparative Study of BIM Acceptance between Korea and the United States

Abstract: Substantial research has been performed on data standards and exchanges in the AEC/FM (Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Facilities Management) industry over the past several years. The growing popularity of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology is based heavily on the perception that it can facilitate the sharing and reuse of information during a project’s lifecycle. Although many researchers and practitioners are in agreement about the potential applicability and benefit of BIM in construction, it is still unclear why BIM is adopted, and what factors enhance the implementation of BIM. Thus, BIM acceptance and use remains a central concern of BIM research and practice. BIM was accepted in the United States earlier than in Korea, and BIM users are expected to have a higher maturity and positive perception about utilizing BIM depending on a lengthier utilization period. This means that the mechanism for achieving acceptance of BIM in Korea differs from the mechanism in the United...

Improving Hazard-Recognition Performance and Safety Training Outcomes: Integrating Strategies for Training Transfer

Abstract: Most construction safety activities focus on managing identified hazards. Hazards that remain unrecognized, and as a result unmanaged, can potentially result in catastrophic and unexpected injuries. Therefore, proper hazard recognition is foundational to the success of any safety program. However, recent research has revealed that a large proportion of construction hazards remain unrecognized in construction projects. To improve hazard recognition performance, employers provide their workers with safety and hazard recognition training. Despite these efforts, desirable levels of hazard recognition have not been achieved, and the anticipated return on investment (ROI) from training has not been attained. Such failures in training efforts are partly because knowledge acquired through training programs is often not transferred or applied in the workplace. Subsequently, training efforts do not alter work practices or behavior once workers return to the field. Other reasons for training failure include ...

Contractual Governance: Effects of Risk Allocation on Contractors’ Cooperative Behavior in Construction Projects

Abstract: When designing contracts in practice, project owners often allocate excessive risks to contractors. Although previous studies have suggested that such improper risk allocation may harm the ...

Social Sustainability in the Lifecycle of Chilean Public Infrastructure

Abstract: To enhance concern for the social aspects of sustainability and to delineate the criteria to be considered at each stage of the lifecycle of an infrastructure, this paper aims to determine the relevance of a set of criteria that evaluate social sustainability throughout the lifecycle of a public civil infrastructure. This research presents the results of a case study applying the Delphi method to 24 Chilean experts consulted in a series of three rounds. In addition, binomial statistical tests and Kendall’s coefficient were used to show the convergence of the experts. Thus, it was identified that of 36 initial criteria assessed at each stage of the lifecycle, the consideration of 20 is required at the design stage, 29 at the construction stage, 33 during operation, and 27 at demolition. The most relevant criteria, per lifecycle stage, were Stakeholder Participation (design and demolition stages), External Local Population (design stage), Internal Human Resources (construction and demolition stages)...

Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosures in International Construction Business: Trends and Prospects

Abstract: There is increasing sophistication in corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures by international construction companies (ICCs). Nevertheless, a systematic analysis of the trends and...

Rework causation: Emergent theoretical insights and implications for research

Abstract: Rework is a chronic problem in construction and engineering projects. A wide variety of studies examining the nature of rework have been undertaken since the seminal research of Burati in the early 1990s, which examined quality deviations. Initial studies focused on identifying the causal factors and costs of rework to quantify the severity of the problem. From these studies, it was recognized that rework causes were interdependent; so techniques such as cognitive mapping (CM) and system dynamics (SD) were subsequently introduced to model the complexity and dynamic of this phenomena. Although such results provided the essential building blocks to better understand and provide the much-needed stimulus for theory development, rework remains a pervasive issue. A number of factors have contributed to the causal ambiguity that presently prevails, which includes the epistemological underpinning used to construct the nature of causes and the subsequent use of tools and techniques that are used for analys...

Effect of Contract Completeness on Contractors’ Opportunistic Behavior and the Moderating Role of Interdependence

Abstract: The characteristics of construction projects—e.g., one-off, high complexity, information asymmetry, and asset specificity—have led to a very common phenomenon of opportunism. In this paper, a questionnaire based on a sample of contractors was employed to explore the effect of contract completeness on contractors’ opportunistic behavior, as well as the moderating role of interdependence. The results show that term specificity, contingency adaptability, and contractual obligatoriness all have negative effects on contractors’ opportunistic behavior (both weak and strong forms), while issue inclusiveness positively influences contractors’ opportunistic behavior. In addition, except for the positive moderating role of interdependence magnitude on the relationship between contingency adaptability and contractors’ opportunistic behavior (weak form), the other three significant moderating effects (magnitude on issue inclusiveness and strong form, magnitude on contractual obligatoriness and strong form, as...

Multicriteria Selection of the Building Material Supplier Using AHP and Fuzzy AHP

Abstract: When selecting a building material supplier, contractors may take into consideration a large number of criteria that are often subjective and hard to measure. Including them all in the evaluation may be beneficial, yet in practice it may generate many complications. A solution is provided by one of the multicriteria analysis methods. The article describes the criteria employed in the evaluation of building material suppliers. One multicriteria analysis method, namely the analytic hierarchical process (AHP), is argued to be a useful alternative. An example of its application involving its basic and the more sophisticated variant, the fuzzy analytic hierarchical process (FAHP) with extent analysis method, is presented. As the results reveal, real decisive problems require methods resembling human reasoning, which is often characterized by uncertainty and subjectivity of evaluation. The real problem presented in the paper proves that the FAHP method may have a practical application.

Time and Cost Performance of Design–Build Projects

Abstract: The design–build (DB) delivery method has been widely used in the United States due to its reputed superior cost and time performance. However, rigorous studies have produced inconclusive support and only in terms of overall results, with few attempts being made to relate project characteristics with performance levels. This paper provides a larger and more finely grained analysis of a set of 418 DB projects from the online project database of the Design–Build Institute of America (DBIA), in terms of the time-overrun rate (TOR), early start rate (ESR), early completion rate (ECR), and cost overrun rate (COR) associated with project type (e.g., commercial/institutional buildings and civil infrastructure projects), owners (e.g., Department of Defense and private corporations), procurement methods (e.g., best value with discussion and qualifications-based selection), contract methods (e.g., lump sum and GMP) and LEED levels (e.g., gold and silver). The results show best value with discussion to be th...

Association of Root Causes in Fatal Fall-from-Height Construction Accidents in Hong Kong

Abstract: A major cause of fatal construction accidents is falls from height (FFH). In this study, the Human Factor Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) was adopted and modified to assist in classifying the root causes of fatal FFH accidents in Hong Kong. The characteristics and root causes of the accidents were analyzed using frequency analysis. The associations among the causes were examined using Fisher’s exact test and latent class analysis (LCA). The cases apparently share some common characteristics and certain HFACS factors are closely associated. According to LCA results, the factors in all the cases may be placed into four classes, named as ill planning, violation, hidden hazards created by others, and incapable staffing. Recommendations are made to reduce FFH construction accidents based on the characteristics and root causes. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge in construction management by developing a modified HFACS framework for extracting structured information from construct...

Innovation in Construction Megaprojects

Abstract: The construction industry is often criticized for its lack of innovation Yet, that same industry designs and builds the largest projects of the world—megaprojects This discrepancy begs the question, whether lack of innovation is a valid description of the construction industry A megaproject seems ideal to test the construction industry for its innovation potential For the collection and analysis of data, longitudinal action research, combined with a case study approach, provides the required level of detail and an understanding of interdependencies The BangNa Expressway in Thailand serves as the focal case; it is the largest bridge in the world The following aspects are primary contributions to the stock of knowledge: we identify 58 innovations, some are product or construction technology innovations, others are within the technical, management, or contractual organization This magnitude attests to the ability of the construction industry to innovate on a level not yet identified The whole

Near-Miss Information Visualization Tool in BIM for Construction Safety

Abstract: Although the number of fatalities experienced by the U.S. construction industry has been declining, the magnitude of the decrease has stagnated in recent years. Several improvements have been realized in visualizing construction-project information through building information modeling (BIM). One improvement in construction safety can be found in the collection, analysis, and visualization of safety-leading indicator data including near-miss events. Furthermore, the visualization of reported near misses can assist safety managers to identify high-frequency and high-severity events within a construction site for mitigation or hazard removal techniques. The objective of this research is to provide a framework for near-miss data collection and visualization within a BIM platform. A near-miss database was created in a commercially available BIM design software to allow construction-site personnel to report near misses and visualize within an existing BIM. Algorithms were created to enable filtering fo...

Recipes for Cost and Schedule Successes in Industrial Modular Projects: Qualitative Comparative Analysis

Abstract: Modularization is a well-established method that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the construction industry. However, the industry continues to struggle with its implementati...

Productivity Growth in Construction

Abstract: Measuring productivity growth in construction has been a classic challenge, largely because reliable output deflators are scarce. This paper reports first results from a Bureau of Labor Sta...

Product Architecture Model for Multistory Modular Buildings

Abstract: The modular building construction method is the industry’s effort for industrialization of building construction. Similar to other types of production, a product information model is requir...

Predicting Safety Risk of Working at Heights Using Bayesian Networks

Abstract: Although the construction industry has shown significant improvements in safety performance over the past 30 years, falls are still a leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries. Previous studies have focused on identifying factors affecting the risk of falls, but remained silent on investigating the evidential relationships among these factors to better prevent fall accidents. This research proposes a Bayesian network (BN) based approach to diagnose the accident risk of working at heights. The proposed approach consists of a conceptual and generic model with a protocol for assessing the risk of falls and a computational module. The generic BN model was developed on the basis of an extensive review and evaluation of causal factors leading to falls. The computational module was developed on the basis of Bayes’ rule for inference to customize model input and job site characteristics. The results of the proposed approach provide probabilities associated with different states of safety risk. Addi...

The Real Option Value of Renegotiation in Public–Private Partnerships

Abstract: Public–private partnerships (PPP) are contracts with a long-lasting period, huge relationship-specific investment, and great uncertainties. In many PPP projects, it is difficult or even impossible to write a complete contract that specifies all contingencies, so a renegotiation-allowed contract could be better than a renegotiation-proof one. Under a renegotiation-allowed PPP agreement, renegotiations can significantly influence the interests of both the private party and the government, so they have to evaluate the benefit and cost of renegotiations ex ante and consider them in the tender price. This study considers renegotiations as real options that are embodied to provide flexibilities for PPP contracts, and develops a model to capture the value of renegotiation based on real option theory. The model is proposed in three steps, including modeling underlying risk, bargaining renegotiation payoffs, and determining real option value. An illustration case is presented to demonstrate the applicabili...

Construction Bidding and the Winner's Curse: Game Theory Approach

Abstract: In the construction industry, competitive bidding has long been used as a method for contractor selection. Because the true cost of construction is not known until the completion of the project, adverse selection is a major concern. Adverse selection is when the winner of the contract has underestimated the project’s true cost. Thus, the winning contractor will most likely earn negative or at least below normal profits. The winner’s curse is when the winning bidder submits an underestimated bid and is thus cursed by being selected to undertake the project. In the multistage bidding environment, where subcontractors are hired by a general contractor, the winner’s curse may be compounded. In general, contractors suffer from the winner’s curse for a variety of reasons including inaccurate estimates of project cost; new contractors entering the construction market; minimizing losses in case of recession of the construction industry; strong competition within the construction market; differential oppor...

Selecting Globally Sustainable Materials: A Case Study Using Choosing by Advantages

Abstract: Design teams must make numerous decisions in building design, including choosing materials. Lately, they have become more concerned about the social and environmental effects of their choices, in addition to the economic constraints. These concerns, in addition to the increasing offerings of construction materials and products and the engagement of more stakeholders, make decisions more complex. As decision complexity increases, so does the need to systematically use sound decision-making methods. However, in practice many decisions are made without a formal method or discussion, thereby often generating conflict and waste in the design process. Further, even if practitioners are looking for better decision-making methods, the literature does not provide enough support for them to choose the best method for this context. This research fills the literature gap and provides a systematic approach as well as practical advice for decision makers by demonstrating the application of a method, called choo...